Trumpy Billionaire Challenges Pope With Secret Antichrist Meetings Near Vatican Peter Thiel, the tech billionaire and self-described “small-o orthodox Christian,” has begun a series of secret religious meetings near the Vatican, sparking controversy among Catholics. The Palantir cofounder, known for his MAGA-aligned views, has brought his Antichrist lectures to Rome, where he has drawn criticism for his controversial rhetoric. Thiel’s talks, which began in San Francisco last fall, argue that a figure opposing Christ will soon emerge to establish a “totalitarian one-world government.” His recent comments have targeted Pope Leo XIV, whom he labeled a “woke American pope” during a previous lecture. Thiel’s Antichrist lectures have long focused on condemning policies he views as threats to traditional values, including environmental protections and tech regulations. During his San Francisco series, he referred to Gen Z activist Greta Thunberg as a “legionnaire of the Antichrist” and criticized progressive policies as part of a broader ideological battle. Now, he has expanded his message to the Catholic Church’s headquarters, reportedly partnering with Catholic universities in Rome to host his invite-only events. However, two institutions allegedly involved have denied any connection to the gatherings. The Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas stated it is not organizing the event, nor will it host it at its campus. The event’s organizers remain unclear, with reports suggesting it may involve the Vincenzo Gioberti Cultural Association, an Italian Christian political group, and the Cluny Institute at the Catholic University of America. While the cultural association confirmed its involvement, the Catholic University of America denied sponsoring the event.#pope_leo_xiv #peter_thiel #vatican #cluny_institute #vincenzo_gioberti_cultural_association
Thiel's Secretive Rome Conference Draws Church Attention Peter Thiel, the U.S. billionaire venture capitalist and early supporter of President Donald Trump, has held a series of closed-door lectures in Rome exploring the concept of the Antichrist, prompting scrutiny from Catholic commentators. The invitation-only conference, which runs until Wednesday, is not open to the press, and its venue has not been publicly disclosed. Organizers, as reported in the media, indicate that participants are drawn from academia, technology, and religious circles. Thiel, a co-founder of Palantir Technologies, an AI software company with strong ties to U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, has increasingly focused on religious and philosophical ideas in recent years. Last year, he hosted a similar series of talks in San Francisco, discussing the possibility of an Antichrist emerging on the global stage. Thiel has expressed concerns that such a figure could establish a one-world government under the guise of addressing global crises like nuclear threats, AI development, or climate disasters. Thiel, 58, grew up in an Evangelical Christian family and has stated that Christianity shapes his worldview. His visit to Rome has drawn attention from the Roman Catholic Church, which, under Pope Leo, the first U.S. pontiff, has openly criticized some of Trump’s right-wing policies. Pope Leo has also warned about the dangers posed by AI. Catholic universities in Rome have denied press speculation that they might be hosting the event, and no meeting is scheduled between Thiel and Pope Leo, according to the pope’s official agenda. Catholic commentators have criticized Thiel’s views.#peter_thiel #pope_leo #roman_catholic_church #palantir_technologies #jd_vance
